Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Iraq Forms Committee to Develop Timeline for Withdrawal of US Troops Sputnik 15 Oct 2020 -- The Iraqi authorities have formed a committee that will coordinate with the United States to develop the timeline for the withdrawal of US troops from the Middle Eastern country, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
• US, Taliban to 'Reset' to Commitments Under Afghan Deal to Reduce Violence VOA 15 Oct 2020 -- The United States says it has agreed with the Taliban "to reset actions by strictly adhering to" the terms of an agreement reached between the two adversaries earlier this year to close the war in Afghanistan.
• Fear Grows Over Afghan Civilians 'Trapped' In Helmand's Capital RFE/RL 15 Oct 2020 -- Concerns are rising for the fate of tens of thousands of civilians caught up in battles between the Afghan government forces and the Taliban in the southern province of Helmand.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Five Eyes Defence Ministers' Meeting – Press Release DoD 15 Oct 2020 -- Canada's Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, chaired a videoconference of defence ministers from the Five Eyes nations - Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, on 15-16 October. New Zealand was represented by a senior official, due to the New Zealand general election.
• Secretary Esper Discusses Readiness and Modernization at the Heritage Foundation DoD 15 Oct 2020 -- Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper
• Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding the National Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technologies The White House 15 Oct 2020
• 2ID Soldiers test upgraded Anti-Tank Guided Missile Stryker targeting system Army News 15 Oct 2020 -- Networked Lethality capabilities were recently tested in the Stryker Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) vehicle here by Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.
• Department of Defense Announces $197.2 Million for Microelectronics DoD 15 Oct 2020 -- Today, the Department of Defense announced it has awarded over $197 million to advance microelectronics technology and strengthen the American microelectronics industrial base. This critical industry will underpin the development of other Department of Defense technology priorities such as artificial intelligence, 5G communications, quantum computing, and autonomous vehicles.
• DOD Establishes Joint Hypersonics Transition Office Systems Engineering Field Activity at NSWC Crane DoD 15 Oct 2020 -- Today, the Department of Defense established its Joint Hypersonics Transition Office (JHTO) Systems Engineering Field Activity at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane). Through this partnership, located in Crane, Indiana, the Department can leverage the growing suite of government, industry, and academic leaders associated with NSWC Crane.
• US Consolidates Hypersonic Research, Testing at Naval Surface Warfare Centre, Pentagon Says Sputnik 15 Oct 2020 -- The US military designated the Naval Surface Warfare Centre (NSWC) in the state of Indiana as the primary base for developing hypersonic weapons, the Defence Department announced in a press release on Thursday.
• Readout of Deputy Secretary of Defense Mr. David L. Norquist Travel to the United Kingdom DoD 15 Oct 2020
• People, Policy, Performance Readiness Mean U.S. Prepared to Fight DoD News 15 Oct 2020 -- Can the U.S. fight tonight if called upon? Is the U.S. military ready to fight if a conflict arises? The Defense Secretary says he thinks so.
• Esper Discusses New Technologies Designed to Give Warfighters the Advantage DoD News 15 Oct 2020 -- Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper spoke today about Army modernization efforts that harness new technologies that will benefit the warfighter. His remarks were given during the Association of the United States Army's annual meeting.
• AFCEC leads major airfield modernization at Wake Island Airfield US Air Force 15 Oct 2020 -- The Air Force Civil Engineer Center is executing $87 million in critical airfield construction at one of the most isolated Air Force installations to enhance operational and defense capabilities for U.S. forces.
• Aircraft availability, readiness increases at three bases thanks to new methodology US Air Force 15 Oct 2020 -- The Air Force is seeing success in new sustainment initiatives resulting in increased aircraft availability and readiness across three of its bases.
• Arleigh Burke Completes Fleet Support Ops Medical Training; Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Supports US Navy 15 Oct 2020 -- USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) partnered with Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) to complete Fleet Support Operations-Medical (FSO-M) training Sept. 23 as part of her basic phase of training in preparation.
• Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group Returns to South China Sea for Third Time of 2020 Deployment US Navy 15 Oct 2020 -- The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group has returned to the South China Sea for the third time of its 2020 deployment.
• U.S. touts progress on New START extension, but Russia disagrees People's Daily 15 Oct 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that Washington would welcome an agreement based on understandings reached recently with Moscow to extend a key arms control treaty.
• NATO and Women, Peace and Security: Strength is in gender diversity and equality NATO 15 Oct 2020 -- Speaking at an online dialogue on the future of Women, Peace and Security at NATO on Thursday (15 October 2020), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed that further advancing gender equality was a priority for NATO in the 2030 horizon: "You have my personal commitment to provide the leadership and support needed", he said. "It is about making our strong Alliance even stronger".
• PLA tests truck-based rocket-propelled mine launchers in plateau region Global Times 15 Oct 2020 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Tibet Military Command recently conducted live-fire test training exercises with its latest truck-based multiple rocket-propelled mine launchers at a high altitude. This type of weapon will allow a rapid regional lockdown during combat, and it is much more efficient than manual work, analysts said on Thursday.
• PLA Daily: Focus on war preparedness and combat capabilities PLA Daily 15 Oct 2020 -- The army is born with war, and military forces are trained for war. Combat readiness is always the core function and main responsibility of the people's army.
• Chinese navy fleet returns from escort mission PLA Daily 15 Oct 2020 -- A Chinese navy flotilla returned to the port city of Zhoushan in east China's Zhejiang Province Wednesday after completing its mission of escorting civilian vessels in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia.
• Video: China Tests Launching Suicide Drone Swarm From Truck, Helicopter Sputnik 15 Oct 2020 -- China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently tested launching suicide drones from a variety of platforms, including dropping them from a helicopter and launching them from the back of a truck fitted with dozens of launchers.
• Taiwan Needs More Homegrown Military Efforts to Counter China, Experts Say VOA 15 Oct 2020 -- The reported U.S. plan to go ahead with three sales of advanced weapons to Taiwan is not likely to prepare Taiwan to deal with China as well as additional homegrown arms and stronger training of soldiers would, military experts say.
• Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 15 Oct 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 15, 2020
• Wahaj Company Obtains Quality License to Manufacture Mechanical Components of Typhoon Fighters as the First Saudi Company SPA 15 Oct 2020 -- The Saudi Advanced Technologies Company (Wahaj) has obtained a quality license, from BAE Systems, as the first Saudi company to manufacture mechanical components of the combat aircraft Eurofighter Typhoon in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Other Conflicts

• 15 October 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 15 Oct 2020
• In Yemen, Parties Exchange More Than 1,000 Prisoners VOA 15 Oct 2020 -- The United Nations said Thursday that more than a thousand prisoners have been released from detention from both sides in Yemen's conflict, in the largest prisoner swap since the start of the conflict in 2015.
• Over 1,000 prisoners to be freed in largest prisoner swap: Yemeni official Press TV 15 Oct 2020 -- A Yemeni official says the Houthi Ansarullah movement and the former Saudi-allied government are set to swap more than 1,000 prisoners under a UN-brokered peace deal struck in Switzerland last month.
• An 'airlift of hope' in Yemen, UN envoy tells Security Council UN News 15 Oct 2020 -- Immense relief and comfort are forthcoming for families awaiting their loved ones as Yemen's warring parties have begun releasing prisoners and detainees on Thursday, in what the UN envoy there called, "an airlift of hope".
• Rights experts urge UAE to halt repatriation of Yemeni nationals UN News 15 Oct 2020 -- The repatriation of 18 Yemeni nationals previously held at the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay, should be halted, as their lives could be in danger, UN-appointed human rights experts said on Thursday.
• Moving toward a ceasefire and preventing famine in Yemen UK FCDO 15 Oct 2020 -- Statement by Ambassador Jonathan Allen, UK Chargé d'Affaires to the UN, at the Security Council briefing on Yemen
• Rights Group: Syrian-Russian Attacks On Rebel-Held Idlib May Amount To Crimes Against Humanity RFE/RL 15 Oct 2020 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) says the Syrian government and its Russian ally have shown "callous disregard" for the lives of millions of civilians during their military offensive to retake the last rebel-held enclave in northwestern Syria.
• Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital Shelled After Brief Lull In Fighting RFE/RL 15 Oct 2020 -- The capital of Azerbaijan's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh came under artillery fire on October 15 after a shaky pause in shelling brought on by a five-day-old cease-fire brokered by Russia, according to Yerevan and ethnic Armenian separatists in the province.
• Are Syrian Mercenaries Helping Azerbaijan Fight For Nagorno-Karabakh? RFE/RL 15 Oct 2020 -- Despite continued reports of Syrian mercenaries fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh after weeks of fighting over the breakaway region, Baku and Ankara deny reports that Turkey has recruited militants from Syria to fight for Azerbaijan.
• ECHR Rejects Turkey's Bid To Lift Interim Measure Requested By Armenia RFE/RL 15 Oct 2020 -- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has rejected a Turkish request to rescind a ruling urging all states involved in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to avoid putting civilians at risk and to respect their obligations to respect human rights under a European convention.
• Full Interview: Conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh is Liberation War for Azerbaijan, President Aliyev Says Sputnik 15 Oct 2020 -- Hostilities have been going on in Nagorno-Karabakh since late September. Though a ceasefire deal was reached in Moscow between the conflicting parties, it's not observed. Sputnik Head Dmitry Kiselev held parallel interviews with the Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders, where they were asked the same questions and given equal time.
• Full Interview: Turkey is the Main Sponsor of Nagorno-Karabakh War, Armenian PM Pashinyan Says Sputnik 15 Oct 2020 -- The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, which escalated at the end of September, has reportedly claimed several hundred lives. Despite the reached agreement mediated by Russia, there is no sustainable truce yet. Sputnik head Dmitry Kiselev spoke with both Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders in parallel interviews.
• FM Zarif: Iran ready to help settle dispute between Azerbaijan, Armenia IRNA 15 Oct 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a telephone conversation with his Azeri counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov on Thursday voiced his country's readiness to help achieve sustainable peace and solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh region dispute within the framework of a regional initiative by Iran, Turkey and Russia, and the Minsk Group.
• Russia, Turkey agree on strict adherence to Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire People's Daily 15 Oct 2020 -- Russia expressed the hope that Turkey would contribute in a constructive manner to the de-escalation of the conflict, considering Turkey's membership in the OSCE.
• Aliyev: Azerbaijan will take all Nagorno-Karabakh if Armenia 'acts negatively' Press TV 15 Oct 2020 -- Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has warned that his country's army will take all Nagorno-Karabakh region if Armenia "acts negatively," while assuring that the conflict between the two sides over the disputed region could be settled after three decades of talks.
• Iran proposes ancillary mechanism to Minsk Group to help Karabakh settlement Press TV 15 Oct 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Tehran is ready to help find a sustainable solution to the ongoing dispute between the Republic of Azerbaijan and neighboring Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh region.
• Russia, Turkey call for joint efforts to end Karabakh conflict Press TV 15 Oct 2020 -- Russia and Turkey have called for international cooperation and joint efforts to end the ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
• US to Join EU and UN in Donor Conference to Aid Rohingya Radio Free Asia 15 Oct 2020 -- As an international consortium announced an upcoming donor conference for Rohingya refugees, U.S. and Bangladesh officials on Thursday discussed challenges faced by nearly 1 million members of the stateless minority who live in sprawling camps in southeastern Cox's Bazar district.
• Joint Press Statement of the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees US Dept. of State 15 Oct 2020 -- The following is the text of a joint press statement by the Government of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
• Two separate gun and bomb attacks kill dozen in Pakistan Press TV 15 Oct 2020 -- At least twelve people have been killed in two separate gun and bomb attacks targeting security forces and workers across Pakistan.
• Fourteen Troops Reported Killed In Attacks Across Pakistan RFE/RL 15 Oct 2020 -- Pakistani officials say 14 security troops have been killed in two attacks in the country's northwestern and southwestern regions bordering Afghanistan.
• Militant Ambush, Bombing Kill 20 Pakistani Troops VOA 15 Oct 2020 -- Pakistan said Thursday that heavily armed militants ambushed a convoy of vehicles in its southwestern Baluchistan province and killed at least 14 security personnel.
• Russia Halts Talks On MH17, Dutch Say They 'Regret' Kremlin Move RFE/RL 15 Oct 2020 -- Russia says it has decided to halt consultations with Australia and the Netherlands on the downing of a Malaysia Airlines passenger flight over eastern Ukraine more than six years ago, after the Dutch government took Russia to court in July for its alleged role in the tragedy.
• Russia Urged To Stop Forced Military Conscription, Other Violations of International Law In Crimea RFE/RL 15 Oct 2020 -- The European Union has denounced forced military conscription of residents in the Russian-occupied Crimea region and called on Moscow to "stop all violations of international law" in the peninsula.
• US' Tibet coordinator 'a vain try' Global Times 15 Oct 2020 -- The US' appointment of a Tibet coordinator, a position that has been vacant since the start of President Donald Trump's term in 2017, is a vain try as China has never admitted the position nor will it have any contact with the "coordinator," a former senior official on Tibet affairs said.
• Kashmir parties join forces to regain special status revoked by India Press TV 15 Oct 2020 -- The India-controlled Kashmir's main political parties have formed an alliance aimed at clawing back the region's special status that New Delhi revoked last August.
• Al-Shabab terrorists kill over dozen army troops in Somalia: Military Press TV 15 Oct 2020 -- At least 13 Somali soldiers have been killed after members of the Takfiri al-Shabab terrorist group attacked army troops northwest of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, a military official says.
• France and Germany Tell Turkey to Stop Provocations SPA 15 Oct 2020 -- France and Germany accused Turkey today, on Thursday of continuing to provoke the European Union with its actions in the eastern Mediterranean, and urged it to clarify its positions in the coming weeks, Reuters reported.
• UN Peacekeeper Killed, Another Injured in Mali Vehicle Bombing, UN Mission Reports Sputnik 15 Oct 2020 -- One peacekeeper deployed as part of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has died in a vehicle bombing in the north of the country, the mission said in a press release on Thursday, adding that another peacekeeper suffered serious injuries in the blast.
• Mali: Rights Groups Concerned After Jihadists Released in Prisoner Swap VOA 15 Oct 2020 -- Rights groups are voicing concerns over the release of 200 jihadist militants in a recent prisoner exchange in Mali.

News Reports

• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, October 15, 2020 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Oct 2020
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on October 15, 2020 PRC MofA 15 Oct 2020
• Hong Kong Reassigns Judges Denounced by Pro-China Lawmaker, Papers as 'Pro-Protest' Radio Free Asia 15 Oct 2020 -- Judicial authorities in Hong Kong have reassigned a magistrate publicly criticized by supporters of the ruling Chinese Communist Party for alleged pro-protester bias to a tribunal in charge of deciding what constitutes an obscenity.
• China Vows to Retaliate Over U.S. Sanctions On Hong Kong, Chinese Officials Radio Free Asia 15 Oct 2020 -- China on Thursday said it would take countermeasures to U.S. sanctions against top officials in charge of Hong Kong after Washington moved to implement laws punishing officials responsible for curtailing the city's freedoms with visa restrictions and other measures.
• Chinese Military Aircraft Fly Repeatedly Near Taiwan Outpost in South China Sea Radio Free Asia 15 Oct 2020 -- China's air force has conducted an unprecedented number of flights into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone near the isolated Pratas atoll, one of Taiwan's few outposts in the South China Sea, according to the self-governing island's defense minister.
• U.S. confirms that Navy destroyer passed through Taiwan Strait CNA 15 Oct 2020 -- The U.S. Navy confirmed Wednesday that the USS Barry, an Arleigh-Burke-class guided missile destroyer, sailed through the Taiwan Strait that day.
• US warship transit through Taiwan Straits to instigate secessionists, attempt to obstruct China's reunification futile: experts Global Times 15 Oct 2020 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) had a US warship under surveillance when it made a provocative transit in the Taiwan Straits on Wednesday, as the PLA was conducting live-fire exercises near the region. The US' high profile move was meant to lend support to Taiwan secessionist forces, but its attempt to interfere in China's internal affairs and obstruct China's reunification will be futile, Chinese mainland experts said on Thursday.
• PLA monitors US warship transiting in Taiwan Straits: spokesperson Global Times 15 Oct 2020 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command organized naval and air forces and tracked and monitored the USS Barry destroyer for the entire course when the US warship sailed through the Taiwan Straits on Wednesday, the command announced on Thursday.
• PLA warns US to stop stirring up trouble in Taiwan Straits People's Daily 15 Oct 2020 -- The Chinese military urged the United States to stop indulging in rhetoric and negative actions related to the Taiwan Straits, senior colonel Zhang Chunhui, spokesman of the People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command, said on Thursday.
• US is urged to stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces PLA Daily 15 Oct 2020 -- The US destroyer, USS Barry, sailed through the Taiwan Strait on October 14, and the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) sent the naval and aerial forces to conduct whole-process tracking and monitoring on the US destroyer, said Senior Colonel Zhang Chunhui, spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command on Thursday.
• China warns US against 'provocative actions' in Taiwan Strait Press TV 15 Oct 2020 -- China has warned the United States to stop its "provocative actions" in the Taiwan Strait, after an American Navy destroyer sailed through the strategic waterway.
• Taiwan supply plane denied entry to 'dangerous' airspace over Pratas CNA 15 Oct 2020 -- A civilian aircraft from Taiwan chartered by the military was advised by Hong Kong air traffic controllers Thursday not to enter the airspace over a group of islands in the South China Sea because "dangerous activities" were in progress in the area, according to the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA).
• HK rejects Taiwan charter plane carrying 'defense personnel,' reflects one-China principle: observer Global Times 15 Oct 2020 -- A charter plane carrying Taiwan personnel from "coast guard and defense authority" was reportedly rejected and forced to return by the management authority at Hong Kong's flight information region (FIR) in the South China Sea on Thursday, which observers said reflects the one-China principle and cross-Straits tensions.
• Mainland warns Taiwan not to become part of Trump's 'October Surprise' Global Times 15 Oct 2020 -- "Don't say you have not been forewarned!" The Chinese phrase, which has been used by the Chinese mainland previously before going to war, reappeared on Thursday in a commentary posted on the flagship newspaper of the Communist Party of China, the People's Daily. The commentary demanded that Taiwan intelligence organs stand on the right side of history, and not to serve the Trump administration to create any "October Surprise" before the November US presidential election.
• 'Don't say we didn't warn you': People's Daily commentary issues stern warning to Taiwan secessionists Global Times 15 Oct 2020 -- "Don't say we didn't warn you." China's national newspaper the People's Daily addressed intelligence agents on the island of Taiwan in a commentary published on Thursday, urging them to cease rampant spying activities on the Chinese mainland or face consequences.
• Taiwan's govt insists HK sign accord before it accepts murder suspect CNA 15 Oct 2020 -- The Mainland Affairs Council on Thursday reiterated its stance that Taiwan and Hong Kong must first clarify jurisdiction-related issues between the two sides before Taiwanese authorities accept a Hong Kong murder suspect who wants to turn himself in for allegedly killing his girlfriend in Taiwan in 2018.
• Taiwan demands correction of designation as 'Province of China' by IMF CNA 15 Oct 2020 -- Taiwan said Thursday that its designation by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a "Province of China" was regrettable, and it called for an immediate correction.
• US Seriously Undermining Peace and Stability in the Taiwan Strait, China Says Sputnik 15 Oct 2020 -- The statement follows a recent escalation in the Taiwan Strait after the American guided-missile destroyer USS Barry conducted what it called a "routine Taiwan Strait transit", but was monitored with suspicion by the Chinese military.
• North Korean Measures to Prevent Coronavirus Threaten Food Security, Rights: UN Expert Radio Free Asia 15 Oct 2020 -- Measures taken by North Korea to prevent the coronavirus from entering its borders have severely impacted trade, which in turn has increased widespread food insecurity in the country, while putting its citizens at risk of heightened rights violations, according to a United Nations expert.
• Top DPRK leader continues inspection of reconstruction sites People's Daily 15 Oct 2020 -- Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), continued his inspection of reconstruction sites in the country's South Hamgyong Province, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Thursday.
• Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Inspects Reconstruction Sites in South Hamgyong Province KCNA 15 Oct 2020 -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and supreme commander of the armed forces of the DPRK, provided guidance inspecting reconstruction sites in the eastern area including Sinpho City and Hongwon County in South Hamgyong Province.
• Founder and CEO of Iranian Financial Services Firm Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Violate U.S. Sanctions US Dept. of Justice 15 Oct 2020 -- Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of Seyed Sajjad Shahidian, 33, to 23 months in prison for his role in conducting financial transactions in violation of U.S. sanctions against Iran.
• Russian FM spox hopes US behaves rationally after end of anti-Iran arms sanctions IRNA 15 Oct 2020 -- Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told IRNA on Thursday that she hoped the US would behave rationally towards the end of arms sanctions against Iran which will take place on October 18.
• AEOI: Iran's nuclear scientists ready to counter US' unilateralism, coercion IRNA 15 Oct 2020 -- The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) reacted to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's new claim pertaining to Iran's use of nuclear energy by saying that the Iranian nuclear scientists are fully prepared to confront the coercion and unilateralism of the US government.
• Iran scientists ready to counter US bullying concerning use of nuclear energy: AEOI Press TV 15 Oct 2020 -- Iran's top atomic authority says Iranian scientists will confront the United States' bullying targeting the Islamic Republic's right to peaceful nuclear energy, asserting that the country will never give up this right in the face of Washington's one-upmanship.
• Iran Says Hackers Targeted Two Government Institutions RFE/RL 15 Oct 2020 -- Iran's cybersecurity authority says hackers this week launched "large-scale" attacks on two Iranian government institutions.
• Kyrgyz PM Declares 'All Power In My Hands' After President Resigns In Face Of Postelection Unrest RFE/RL 15 Oct 2020 -- A convicted kidnapper who was sprung from prison and made prime minister this week amid unrest following Kyrgyzstsan's disputed election told a crowd outside the government building late on October 15 that the president has resigned and "all power is in my hands from now on."
• Kyrgyzstan's president resigns after days of unrest Press TV 15 Oct 2020 -- Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbai Jeenbekov has resigned amid unrest that erupted after parliamentary elections in the Central Asian country.
• Russia's Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft reaches ISS in record time People's Daily 15 Oct 2020 -- The Russian spacecraft Soyuz MS-17 has successfully reached the International Space Station (ISS), setting a new world record for its journey to the orbital complex in three hours and three minutes, the Russian state space corporation Roscosmos said in a statement on Wednesday.
• Turkey to announce discovery of new gas reserves in Black Sea People's Daily 15 Oct 2020 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that he would announce the size of new gas reserves off the Black Sea this week while visiting the Turkish drilling ship "Fatih".
• EU Leaders Meet for So-called Summit of Gloom VOA 15 Oct 2020 -- It has been dubbed the summit of gloom. For the next two days, the European Union's 27 national leaders will meet in Brussels and try to reach agreement on a series of thorny issues, from the bloc's future trading relationship with post-Brexit Britain to an ambitious climate action plan to reduce carbon emissions and achieve "climate neutrality" by 2050.
• Briefing With Senior State Department Officials On the Upcoming Elections in Bolivia US Dept. of State 15 Oct 2020
• New Report Challenges Narrative About African Migration VOA 15 Oct 2020 -- Portrayals of migration flows in Africa are often misconstrued and mischaracterized, according to a major new report from the African Union and International Organization for Migration. Among other things, the report says most African immigrants are crossing land borders in the continent, not trying to sail across seas and oceans on rickety boats.
• Guinea Prepares for Vote Amid Fears of More Violence VOA 15 Oct 2020 -- Guinea's voters go to the polls Sunday, deciding whether to grant a controversial third term to their 82-year-old president, Alpha Conde.
• Myanmar Confident Elections Can Proceed Smoothly Despite COVID-19 Surge Radio Free Asia 15 Oct 2020 -- With "scrupulous regulations" to protect voters and advice from Asian countries that have held elections during the COVID-19 pandemic, Myanmar is confident it can hold nationwide polls on Nov. 8, despite a surge in cases that has prompted calls for postponing the vote, a senior election official told RFA on Thursday.
• Interview: 'We Are Working in Order to Have Free And Fair Elections' Radio Free Asia 15 Oct 2020 -- On Nov. 8. Myanmar holds national and regional elections, in which nearly 7,000 candidates from more than 90 parties, as well as independents, are vying for 1,171 legislative seats at all levels. Leader Aung San Suu Kyi's ruling National League for Democracy is seeking to be returned to office after taking power from the pro-military Union Social Development Party in the last national vote held in 2015. The stiffest competition will again be between the NLD, which is fielding 1,143 candidates, and the USDP, which has put forward 1,129 candidates. Amid a resurgence of coronavirus that has raised concerns about low turnout and prompted calls to postpone the vote, Union Election Commission member Myint Naing spoke to Thet Su Aung of RFA's Myanmar Service in an interview in the capital Naypyitaw on Thursday.
• Soaring Myanmar COVID-19 Cases Test Long-Neglected Health Care System VOA 15 Oct 2020 -- Having contained its first brush with the novel coronavirus even as infections in neighboring countries surged, Myanmar is now straining to check a soaring second wave with a health care system blighted by decades of neglect under military rule.
• Thailand declares emergency to ban gatherings after Bangkok protests Press TV 15 Oct 2020 -- Thailand has issued an emergency decree banning large gatherings in an attempt to end months-long, anti-government protests in the capital, Bangkok.
• Thailand Protesters Defy State of Emergency With Massive Anti-Government Rally VOA 15 Oct 2020 -- Thousands of demonstrators have defied a state of emergency the Thai prime minister declared in response to massive protests demanding his resignation and reform of the country's constitutional monarchy.
• Thailand Under State of Emergency After Massive Anti-Government Protests VOA 15 Oct 2020 -- Thailand's prime minister has declared a state of emergency in response to massive protests demanding his resignation and reforms of the country's constitutional monarchy.
• 8 foreign suspects detained over links to IS in Turkey People's Daily 15 Oct 2020 -- Turkish police detained eight foreign nationals in two separate operations over their suspected links to the Islamic State (IS) militant group, local media reported on Wednesday.
• Colorado Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime and Explosives Charges for Plotting to Blow up Synagogue US Dept. of Justice 15 Oct 2020 -- The Justice Department announced that Richard Holzer, 28, pleaded guilty today to federal hate crime and explosives charges for plotting to blow up the Temple Emanuel Synagogue in Pueblo, Colorado.
• United States Unseals Superseding Indictment Charging Nationwide Money Laundering Network US Dept. of Justice 15 Oct 2020 -- The Justice Department today announced the unsealing of a superseding indictment charging six individuals with participating in a conspiracy to launder millions of dollars of drug proceeds on behalf of foreign cartels. This superseding indictment is the result of a nearly four-year investigation into the relationship between foreign drug trafficking organizations and Asian money laundering networks in the United States, China, and elsewhere.
• Officials Announce International Operation Targeting Transnational Criminal Organization QQAAZZ that Provided Money Laundering Services to High-Level Cybercriminals US Dept. of Justice 15 Oct 2020 -- U.S. Victims of Various Cybercriminal Malware Schemes throughout the United States Had Stolen Multi-Million Dollar Funds Laundered by QQAAZZ